Oliver Glasner has been appointed as the new Crystal Palace manager following Roy Hodgson’s decision to leave the club. Glasner will take over until the end of the 2025/2026 season.
Welcome to Palace, Oliver Glasner 🇦🇹🦅
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 19, 2024
Chairman Steve Parish Wanted To Stick With Roy Hodgson
Glasner Held Talks With Palace Last Season
The 49-year-old who was without a job since departing Eintracht Frankfurt at the end of the 2022/23 season was interviewed by Palace at the start of last season before they handed a 12-month contract to Hodgson. Steve Cooper, Julien Lopetegui, and the highly-rated Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna were all considered as potential replacements as well.
In an official statement, Glasner said: “I am very happy to join Crystal Palace F.C. as manager. I am looking forward to working with the talented squad, meeting the club’s supporters and experiencing the Selhurst Park atmosphere I have heard so much about. It has been a pleasure to meet with Steve and Dougie, and I am looking forward to working with them to achieve our goals.”
According to a report in The Guardian, club chairman Steve Parish wanted the 76-year-old to see out the remainder of the campaign. But amid a run of just three wins in 19 matches across all competitions, Parish has admitted that it is time for a change. He stated: “Roy has a special place in Crystal Palace history and this will never be forgotten. I would like to thank Roy enormously for his service and wish him the very best for the future. I’m delighted to welcome Oliver to the club. He has an outstanding record, and we believe he is the right manager to take the club forward at this pivotal stage.”
During his time in Germany, he achieved notable success, winning the Europa League and reaching the final of the DFB-Pokal. The Austrian, who was previously linked with Chelsea and Tottenham, successfully held roles at Wolfsburg and LASK in the past. His potential arrival at Palace could herald a new era for the club as they look to navigate their way out of the relegation battle.
Hodgson Announced Exit Following Illness
The former England manager took ill during training last week and was rushed to the hospital. In a statement released by the club, Hodgson remarked: “This club is very special and means so much to me and has played a big part in my footballing life. However, I understand, given recent circumstances, it may be prudent at this time for the club to plan ahead, and therefore I have taken the decision to step aside so that the club can bring forward their plans for a new manager, as intended for this summer.”
He had more success with the team during his first spell at the club between 2017 and 2021 where he guided them to safety in the Premier League. Hodgson has worked with a number of clubs over the course of a career that spans 45 years, including Inter Milan, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion, and the Eagles, as well as the national teams of Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, and Finland.
